Butte County Fire Season Prep Checklist: What to Do Before June 1

Butte County does not ease into fire season. The transition from wet spring to dangerous fire conditions can happen in a matter of weeks — sometimes days. By the time the first red flag warning posts in late May or early June, you want every item on this list already done.

The Camp Fire of 2018 gave Butte County a brutal education in what happens when communities are not prepared. The lessons are clear: properties with maintained defensible space survive at dramatically higher rates, and families with evacuation plans get out faster and safer.

This checklist is organized by category. Work through it systematically before June 1 each year.

Defensible space is the most important thing you can do for your property. California law requires it. CAL FIRE enforces it. And the data from every major fire in the state confirms it works.

• Mow all grass to 4 inches or less — dry grass is the primary carrier of ground fire
• Remove all dead plants, weeds, and accumulated debris from the zone
• Trim tree branches so the lowest limb is at least 6 feet off the ground (10 feet is better)
• Remove branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe
• Space shrubs so there is at least 2 feet of clearance between them — fire needs continuous fuel to travel
• Remove all vegetation within 5 feet of your home's foundation — this is the ember-resistant zone
• Clear roof and gutters of all leaves, pine needles, and debris — embers land here first
• Remove firewood stacks from within 30 feet of the structure, or move them to a covered, non-combustible storage area
• Clear under decks and porches — accumulated debris under elevated structures is a major ignition risk
• Remove combustible patio furniture, doormats, and decorations from the immediate structure perimeter during high-risk periods

• Cut grass and weeds to 4 inches or less throughout Zone 2
• Create vertical separation between shrubs and tree canopies — remove lower branches so fire cannot climb from ground fuel into the tree canopy
• Create horizontal separation between shrubs — space them so fire cannot travel continuously across the zone
• Remove dead trees and standing snags — these are high-intensity fuel sources
• Clear brush along driveways and access roads to a width of 10 feet on each side and a vertical clearance of 15 feet — emergency vehicles need to get in and out

If your property is on a slope, the required clearance distances increase. Fire travels faster uphill — a 20% slope roughly doubles the rate of fire spread. On steep terrain, extend your clearance zones accordingly and consult with CAL FIRE or a qualified contractor.

Defensible space slows fire from reaching your home. Home hardening prevents your home from igniting when it does. Most homes that burn in wildfires ignite from embers — not from direct flame contact. Embers travel up to a mile ahead of the fire front and land in vulnerable spots.

• Install gutter guards or clean gutters and keep them clear — ember-filled gutters are a primary ignition point
• Inspect roof for damaged, missing, or deteriorated shingles — gaps allow ember intrusion
• Consider Class A fire-rated roofing if you are due for a roof replacement — composition shingles, metal, and tile all qualify
• Install ember-resistant vent covers on all roof vents, soffit vents, and foundation vents — standard mesh allows ember intrusion; 1/8-inch or smaller mesh does not

• Screen all attic vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh — this is one of the most cost-effective home hardening measures
• Screen foundation vents with the same mesh
• Inspect and seal gaps around pipes, wires, and other penetrations through exterior walls
• Check that all exterior doors close tightly with no gaps at the threshold

• Inspect window seals and frames for gaps or deterioration
• Consider dual-pane or tempered glass for windows facing high-risk directions — single-pane windows can crack from radiant heat before flames arrive
• Install non-combustible window screens if replacing screens

• Inspect deck boards for gaps — embers accumulate in gaps and ignite the deck from below
• Clear all combustible material from under the deck
• Consider composite or non-combustible decking for future replacements
• Ensure attached structures (garages, sheds) meet the same standards as the main structure

• Inspect siding for gaps, cracks, or deterioration — particularly at the foundation line where siding meets the ground
• Remove combustible mulch from foundation plantings and replace with gravel or non-combustible ground cover within 5 feet of the structure

The Camp Fire killed 85 people. Many of those deaths occurred on evacuation routes that became gridlocked. A family with a clear plan and a head start survives. A family that waits for a mandatory evacuation order in a fast-moving fire may not have time to leave safely.

Butte County uses an evacuation zone system. Know your zone before fire season starts — do not look it up when a fire is approaching.

• Visit buttecounty.net/oes to find your evacuation zone
• Sign up for Butte County's emergency alert system (CodeRED) at buttecounty.net/oesalerts
• Download the Watch Duty app — it provides real-time fire mapping and evacuation zone updates and is widely used in Butte County

• Identify at least two evacuation routes from your property — roads can become blocked by fire, downed trees, or traffic
• Drive both routes before fire season so you know them without GPS
• Identify a meeting point outside your neighborhood where family members can reunite if separated
• Know the location of the nearest evacuation center — Butte County typically uses the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico and the Oroville Veterans Memorial Hall

A go bag is a pre-packed bag you can grab in under two minutes. Keep it near your front door from May through October.

Documents (store originals in a fireproof bag or box):

• Identification (driver's license, passport)
• Insurance policies (home, auto, health)
• Property deed or mortgage documents
• Vehicle titles
• Medical records and prescription list
• Bank account information and emergency cash

Medications and medical supplies:

• 7-day supply of all prescription medications
• First aid kit
• Glasses or contacts and supplies

Communication and power:

• Phone chargers and a portable battery bank
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• List of important phone numbers (do not rely solely on your phone)

Clothing and supplies:

• 3-day supply of clothing for each family member
• Sturdy shoes
• N95 masks (smoke protection)
• Blankets or sleeping bags

Food and water:

• 3-day supply of non-perishable food
• 1 gallon of water per person per day for 3 days
• Manual can opener

Pets:

• Carriers for each pet
• 3-day supply of pet food and water
• Vaccination records and medications
• Recent photo of each pet in case of separation

• Keep your gas tank at least half full from May through October — gas stations may be closed or inaccessible during an evacuation
• Back your vehicle into the driveway during high-risk periods so you can leave quickly
• Keep your car keys in a consistent, accessible location

• Ensure your address is clearly visible from the road — emergency responders need to find your property quickly
• Use reflective numbers at least 4 inches tall on a contrasting background
• Mark the address at the driveway entrance if your home is set back from the road

• Ensure your driveway is wide enough for emergency vehicles — CAL FIRE recommends a minimum 12-foot width with 15-foot vertical clearance
• Trim vegetation along the driveway to the clearance standards above
• Ensure your gate can be opened quickly — if you have an electric gate, make sure the manual override works and is accessible to emergency responders

• Know the location of your nearest water source — pool, pond, tank, or hydrant
• If you have a well, ensure the pump has backup power (generator or battery) — power outages often accompany fires
• Consider a water storage tank if you are in a remote area with limited water access — CAL FIRE can use these to defend your property

• Inspect propane tanks and connections for leaks or damage
• Clear vegetation within 10 feet of propane tanks
• Know how to shut off your propane at the tank — do this before evacuating
• Store gasoline and other flammable liquids in approved containers away from structures

Fire season is the right time to review your homeowner's insurance — not after a fire.

• Review your coverage limits — construction costs have increased significantly in recent years; many homeowners are underinsured
• Understand your policy's replacement cost vs. actual cash value provisions — replacement cost coverage pays to rebuild; actual cash value deducts depreciation
• Document your belongings — walk through your home with a video camera and record everything of value; store the video in cloud storage or off-site
• Review your additional living expenses (ALE) coverage — this pays for temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable; make sure the limit is adequate
• Ask about FAIR Plan coverage if your insurer has dropped you or significantly increased your premium — the California FAIR Plan provides basic fire coverage as a last resort

Individual preparation matters. Community preparation matters more.

• Talk to your neighbors about their evacuation plans — neighbors who know each other check on each other
• Join or form a Neighborhood Watch or CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) — Butte County OES offers CERT training
• Know which neighbors may need assistance evacuating — elderly neighbors, those with disabilities, or families without vehicles
• Participate in community fire preparedness events — CAL FIRE and Butte County OES hold regular workshops and defensible space inspections

CAL FIRE inspects properties in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) annually, typically from spring through early summer. Inspectors look for compliance with PRC 4291 defensible space requirements.

If you receive a notice of violation:

• You will be given a deadline to correct the violations (typically 30 days)
• A re-inspection will be scheduled
• Failure to comply can result in fines and, in some cases, CAL FIRE performing the work and billing the property owner

If you want a proactive inspection: Contact your local CAL FIRE unit to request a defensible space inspection before fire season. Many units offer this as a free service.

Not every property owner has the time, equipment, or physical ability to complete all of this work independently. Professional land management companies can handle the vegetation work efficiently and ensure it meets CAL FIRE standards.

Sierra Land Services specializes in defensible space clearing, fire abatement, and vegetation management throughout Butte County. We work with homeowners, property managers, and realtors to bring properties into compliance and keep them there.

Services we provide for fire season prep:

• Defensible space clearing (Zone 1 and Zone 2)
• Brush and vegetation removal
• Tree trimming and limbing
• Mowing and weed abatement
• Annual maintenance contracts for ongoing compliance

Call 530-602-7867 or request a free estimate online. We serve Chico, Paradise, Oroville, Magalia, Durham, Gridley, Forest Ranch, and all of Butte County.

Fire season in Butte County is not a matter of if — it is a matter of when and how prepared you are when it arrives. Work through this checklist before June 1 and you will have done everything within your control to protect your property, your family, and your community.